Rebecca Sandoval pleaded guilty this week to vehicle manslaughter while high on nitrous oxide in a car crash that killed Buellton resident and former teacher Linda Wall two years ago.
As part of the plea deal, Sandoval, 39, also pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of nitrous oxide and Lorazepam in July 2013, when she crashed her car into two parked cars on the Chumash reservation, a misdemeanor charge that had been pending. She is expected to be sentenced to nearly 14 years in prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office. She was initially charged with murder and had no prior DUI convictions.
On the day of the deadly crash, December 19, 2013, Sandoval, slammed her car into Wall’s Toyota Highlander while traveling at about 55 miles per hour on Highway 246 near Cuesta Road. Wall, who was 68, was slowing for a red light. Her SUV propelled forward into a car stopped at the red light, causing the two passengers inside to sustain minor injuries. Wall died soon after at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.